Former Rotorua Destiny Church leaders Brian and Hannah Tamaki bought five cars - including a luxury Audi - through a charity that is more than a year overdue in filing an annual return.
Financing statements filed with the Companies Office show Te Hahi o Nga Matamua Holdings bought a newAudi Q7 valued at $100,000, to be used by church leaders Brian and Hannah Tamaki, on a lease-purchase arrangement.
The church charity, which last filed an annual return in 2012, also bought four Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6 3.5s valued at $27,990 each.
According to the Charities Register, the charity's main purpose is for community development, religious activities and fundraising.
The purchase of the Audi was signed off by Tania Pene, the Tamakis' closest adviser.
Independent charity researcher Michael Gousmett said: "That's not what charity is about. These organisations are here to provide public benefit and, if you've got members of this organisation running around in super-expensive vehicles, you've got to ask the question to what extent are they providing public benefit rather than looking after their own self-interests?"
He said it had become common for a charity to also be listed as a limited liability company. "I wonder how much this is being taken advantage of in the charity sector."
In June, Hannah Tamaki took out a personal loan against an E350 CDI Mercedes Benz - which retails for $99,000 new - and held on to the PROT0N number plate.
Te Hahi o Nga Matamua Holdings' last annual return filed with the Charities Service was for the year ending March 30, 2012. It was one of 14 Destiny-affiliated charities that are late in filing annual returns. Destiny Church spokeswoman Anne Williamson did not return a request for comment.
The Charities Service told the Herald on Sunday last week it had sent late notices about the overdue filing of the 14 charities.
